Access to personal medical records is guaranteed under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. In order to process your request for the release of your medical records, you must complete a form called the Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Patient Health Information. If the form is incomplete, it will be returned to you and no information will be released until it is properly completed. Please remember to sign and date the form. The date of signature must not pre-date treatment.

Under most circumstances, a parent can authorize release and get copies of medical records for a child who is under age 18. The parent must complete and submit an Authorization to Release Protected Health Information.

In Minnesota, call the Minnesota Department of Health at (651) 201-5970 or go to www.health.state.mn.us. You can also contact your county’s Vital Records Division, which is usually in the County Recorder’s Office.